Good starter fish?

[jgln]

Just make your choices wisely, meaning choose fish knowing if properly cared for are going to live for many years to come, so expect these "starter" fish to be with you a long time. I still have ALL of my first fish including a clownfish pair and this is 15+ years at least.

 

[Cancun]

Whoever told newbie to get leopard wrasse is smokin some serious stuff DO NOT GET A LEOPARD WRASSE is rated expert only and is unhardy and needs well cycled tank for grazing (at least 6 months) I would definitely suggest buying all fish off liveaquaria because the LFS will rip you off. My Stock list for a Begginner like you who wants playful cool fish in a Fish only is:

Leopard Puffer: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/2909/leopard-puffer?pcatid=2909&c=15+39+2909

Your choice of clown pair (probably not maroons (and don't get more than 2)) http://www.liveaquaria.com/category/27/clownfish?c=15+27

3 or 4 Blue/Green Chromis: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/115/blue-green-reef-chromis?pcatid=115&c=15+1634+115

Pair of Carpenter's Flasher's Wrasses: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/329/carpenters-flasher-wrasse?pcatid=329&c=15+1378+329

Pair of Engineer Gobies: These fish are so quirky and interesting (they dig with their mouths) http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/165/engineer-goby?pcatid=165&c=15+31+165

And make sure to add this last, Flame Angelfish:http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/444/flame-angelfish?pcatid=444&c=15+16+444

I would also have a few Mini Maxi Capet Anemones Because they add some color to your rocks (but make sure to get these after tank is stable because even mini carpet nems are somewhat fragile. Do your homework on anemones before getting one and make sure you have proper lighting water flow and any other necessities.):http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/3219/mini-carpet-anemone?pcatid=3219&c=497+499+3219

And finally some peppermint shrimp: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/701/peppermint-shrimp?pcatid=701&c=497+525+701 And an unchin of some sort http://www.liveaquaria.com/category/530/urchins?c=497+530

I do not suggest royal grammas because although their colors are alluring they spend much of their time hiding and 2 royal grammas will probably fight each other.

Also if you are feeling adventurous you could try a snowflake moray eel (cutest eel ever, but may eat your fish D:, But if you do buy one make sure you have a tight lid because it can and will jump. I sadly know by experience (found him under my bed))

I thought I would chime in....I disagree with buying all fish from LA or Divers Den. If you have a good local fish store.... support them. Plus you want to see the fish or invert you are buying first....look them over....make sure they look nice and healthy.....and watch the store feed them to make sure it is eatting etc....my 2 cents would be to find a good LFS and develop a good relationship with them.

I agree with others on here that clowns are a great first fish...to add after your tank is cycled and ready to go. I would also suggest a coral beauty angel as well. I am a huge Wrasse fan....and some Hardy Wrasses for your size tank would be most fairy Wrasses....I love the Solar Wrasse out of that family....or the yellow or golden Wrasse....fairy Wrasses are pretty easy going....Hardy.... accept most frozen food....just my thoughts....good luck with your tank!